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Nadal loses in quarterfinals in Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo Tennis Ma Heal
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, and David Ferrer of Spain, right, shake hands after their quarterfinals match of the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters tournament in Monaco, Friday, April 18, 2014. Ferrer won 7-6 6-4. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) - photo by Associated Press
PARIS — Rafael Nadal's mastery of the Monte Carlo clay courts seems to be over. The top-ranked Spaniard hopes his confidence isn't gone, too. Nadal lost to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters on Friday, his earliest exit since 2003 at a tournament that helped build his reputation as perhaps the greatest clay-court player of all time.